Jacob Wrestling with the Angel

Jacob's wrestling match with the angel in the Book of Genesis, which concluded with his being given the name "Israel," is one of the Hebrew Bible's most mysterious stories. It is a critical turning point in Jacob's development, and has offered rich source material for many artists. Professor Wisse suggests that the episode's lack of clarity inspired artists not just to investigate the larger meaning of the story, but to assess and question the nature of artistic representation writ large.